I want to start of with a statement that as someone from Balkans I never had this much choice of local animals in a zoo game. So already, if we don't get any European animals till the end of support, it's already more than enough. But one never turns down unlimited slots, so if I wanted to make a zoo based entirely of Montenegro wildlife I'd need these:
1. Waterfowl
It's becoming a bit of a cliché, but it can't be skipped, ponds, fountains and other water bound decorations look devoid of life without these birds. Speaking on local level I would only ask for Mute Swan and Mallard Duck. Those two alone would go a long way
Essential: Both
2. National Birds
Not only are we missing Pelicans as whole species from the game, one of our 5 National Park has Dalmatian Pelicans for their symbol. They make our biggest lake their home. On top of that quite a few European zoos hold this exact species. It's the biggest pelican if I'm not mistaken, and it has this cool bold beak and pouch color and the ''feather hat'' on top.
The second bird that is highly sought after as hunting trophy in our forests and mountains is Capercaillie or Wood Grouse. It's very elusive (unless it's mating season) and looks really ancient and cool. Makes this interesting sound with the beak to attract mates. And on top of that it doesn't need to fly. It can use peafowl animations.
Essential: At least 1
3. More little carnivores
First two easy candidates would be Pine/Beech Marten and Wild Cat. Every zoo in vicinity has at least one of these, if not both. They're also really common wild animals in our country, and especially around my town. So much so that I saw both in wild on multiple occasions. The local carnivore list could be considered almost complete even without these two (Red Fox and Badger) but they would add some diversity to the picks. Secondary choices would be Eurasian Polecat, Egyptian Mongoose and Golden Jackal.
Essential: At least 2
4. Ungulates diversity picks
The three most popular hunting trophies in Montenegro are Rabbit, Woodcoc k* and Wild Boar. Wild Boars are everywhere from Mountains to seaside. It's a number one Montenegrin wild animal if you're to ask rural folk who hunt for meat or trophies. On the other hand I'm yet to visit a zoo in Balkans that holds Wild Boars. Closest to seeing them in captivity is a fenced out part of hills near the entrance of town, where they breed Boars so they can use hunting hounds to train on them. So definitely would be needed to shake up ungulate choices, there's other fires to put out.
Chamois. These are my bros. Whenever I summit any of our local mountains I can't avoid these little acrobats. Easily the animal I saw in wild the most. They're everywhere pass the elevation of 2000m. They share the same problem with Wild Boar, which is that I've never seen them in captivity. But again, similar to Wild Boar, would really help diversify ungulate choices
Essential: At least 1
6. Big predators rework
Not necessarily new animals, but a touch ups rather. Changing Himalayan Brown Bear to Eurasian Brown Bear and updating Gray Wolf model would go a long way. These are our only big predators. Also these two picks would differentiate a local pack from broadly European one, since, if I understand correctly, neither are present anymore in Western Europe. So either one or both would help push that wild Balkan feel
Essential: Not, would be cool tho
7. A couple of exhibit reptiles
And for the finish to touch it up a bit a couple of reptiles for our boxes. We already have Salamander and Newt which actually go a really long way. Never in my wildest dreams have I predicted playing a zoo game with those. As for the reptiles my number one pick would be: Nose Horned Viper. As far as Europe goes this snake lives only in pockets in Balkans. Have some really beautiful color variations. And a cool horn. A childhood boogey man. We were always advised to stray away from shrubs and rock crevices, lest we not be bitten by one of these. Additional choices could be Common Adder, Legless lizard (sheltopusik), Occellated Lizard and maybe a species of Turtle or Tortoise.
Essential: One if not none
, but this one might be more special for its colouration and shape, similar to the dall sheep!
